I planted Wendy's wish in a large container this spring. Looked great for a while, then as the weather hit hotter it struggled, becoming leggy. I cut it way back and it is slowly recovering. Obviously I didn't give it what it needed in the container. So I am redoing a part of the garden this fall and can move it then or wait until next spring. Which would be better?

I don't know that I have enough experience to answer your question about when to move your Wendy's Wish- hopefully someone in your zone can advise. For us it is an annual and this is the first year it has been available locally. We have 2 in containers (alone but still finding as you have that they need much more room). We also have 2 in ground in different areas of the back yard. Oh boy, do they get big, bigger than was stated on the tag!! So... I did not really allow enough room even in ground! Have had to prune several times to keep them from overrunning their neighbor Salvias (Amistad and Black and Blue). But oh they are beautiful! Yes the bloom stalks get leggy- in fact I usually end up trimming them off before the final blooms at the tip come out because they do get so long and there are so many! But it is a beautiful Salvia so next year I think we will get only one and put it in a spot where it has enough room. I love the blooms, the foliage and the color of the calyces. If I were in your position I would want to do exactly what you are doing. Good luck!

I have planned a space where it can growas big as it wants. I loved the blooms and hope it makes it. Usually I would assume it would be perennial for my zone, however not sure if I leave it in the pot.

@teacup754

I agree with @jg0613 that perhaps someone who grows it in your zone will chime in. I often break off (deadhead) the long stems before it has finished blooming. I grow Wendy's Wish in a container each year, since it is not hardy here, I get a new plant of Wendy's Wish.

Perhaps @FBTS can chime in.

When I said it got leggy I wasn't referring to the long bloom stems. Aren't they beautiful! For some reason I had a lot of long, bare stems at the bottom and the plant itself wasn't very attractive. I'll post over in the Texas forum and see if someone responds.

@teacup74
Thanks for clarifying what you meant by "leggy". I didn't think you meant the bloom stalks but wasn't sure. What you describe I have not noticed with any of my 4 Wendy's Wish plants. The lower stems on mine look ok- have good leaves and still new blooms at tips. I bet it will perk up when you move it, once it settles into its new spot. Good luck.

You can cut this plant back really hard, and all it does is respond by becoming more bushy. Make sure they are well fed and watered, with good drainage being a real key.

@FBTS
Thanks for the info- I have definitely found what you said to be true.
Could you advise as to whether it is better to move the plant to a different location that will give it more room in fall or in spring? Or if either is ok? That was the main question in the original post and I would be interested in the answer as well.

@FBTS

Thanks for chiming in with your wise info!

Here in Texas we plant a lot of perennials and trees in the fall because we generally have winters that aren't too harsh and it gives them a chance to grow roots before the misery that is summer here. But I wasn't sure about moving a plant like salvia wendy wish since it might die back to itß roots each winter.

I would move in the spring, so that it can bounce back quickly. This is a warm weather plant.

Thanks Kermit! Spring it is😀

I agree...wait till March lst to move it...
From my experience in moving a butterfly bush and other perennials
it is really to late to take the chance..in mid sept

I hear this winter is to be way colder and wetter
in zone 8b and in higher up areas ice and snow
more so this winter...
Just my advice..not that I am correct on anything
but I would make myself wait till March lst and move it
then or mid march..

I just planted a Wendys wish..but it was a week ago..
I was hesitant on planting it then but I would not
this week ...
Sheri dragonfly in alabama zone 8b

@Sheridragonfly

Thanks for chiming in for @teacup754.